If you’ve ever dreamed of a journey where every turn reveals a brand-new view, Albania is the perfect destination for you. This small country in the heart of the Balkans offers a rare mix: dramatic mountains, crystal-clear coastlines, quiet villages, and breathtaking panoramic roads.
Unlike ordinary trips, a road trip through Albania is an adventure in itself — not only because you can travel from sea to mountains in just a few hours, but also because the roads themselves are a destination. In this LoveAlbania guide, we’ve selected some of the most beautiful panoramic roads in Albania, suitable for every type of traveler — from Alpine adventurers to those seeking relaxed seaside escapes.
Each route below comes with practical tips on the best season to visit, recommended stops, and views you simply shouldn’t miss.
🏞️ Llogara Pass – Dhermi Road: Curves with spectacular views
This is arguably the most iconic panoramic road in Albania — a perfect blend of mountain peaks and the endless Ionian Sea horizon. Starting from Orikum and climbing through Llogara National Park, the road rises over 1,000 meters above sea level before gracefully descending toward the stunning coast of Dhermi.
Every curve delivers a “wow” moment: from dense pine forests to the first glimpse of the sea appearing like a blue postcard beneath the white peaks. The road is paved and well-maintained (SH82), suitable for standard vehicles, though attention is needed on the sharper turns.
🗓️ Best season: June – September, when the weather is clear and beaches like Palasa, Dhermi, and Jalë are at their best.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Llogara National Park: hiking trails and picnic spots under pine trees
- Llogara Pass viewpoint: a must-stop for panoramic photos
- Riviera beaches: Palasa for tranquility, Dhërmi for nightlife, Jalë for snorkeling
- Panoramic cafés at the pass: perfect for a coffee with unforgettable views
🏨 Accommodation: Hotels and apartments in Dhermi, or for a unique experience — stay at the hotel at the top of Llogara, where it feels like you’re “above the clouds.”
🌊 The new Shengjin – Velipoja Road: A fresh link for summer escapes
Completed in 2025, this new panoramic road is one of the most important infrastructure achievements on Albania’s northern coast. Connecting two of the region’s most popular beaches — Shengjin and Velipoje — this 15 km stretch can be driven in under 20 minutes and offers open views of the Adriatic Sea and the Viluni Lagoon.
The road is modern, with two lanes, fresh asphalt, and designed to ease tourist travel during the summer season. It’s suitable for all types of vehicles and has significantly improved accessibility in the area.
🗓️ Best season: Summer — for beaches, warm sunsets, and family holidays.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Velipoje Beach: ideal for families, with soft sand and wide open spaces
- Viluni Lagoon: perfect for photography and nature observation
- Rrjoll village: traditional atmosphere and fresh fish cuisine
🏨 Accommodation: New hotels, resorts, and camping areas in both destinations.
🧭 Leqet e Hotit: The stone gateway to Northern Albania
If you’re entering Albania from Montenegro via the Hani i Hotit border crossing, prepare for an unforgettable entrance. The Leqet e Hotit road is one of the most dramatic in the country — a short but striking segment carved into the steep cliffs of the Malësia e Madhe region.
With narrow curves and wide views over the valley below, this road feels like a living postcard, especially at sunset when the sun hovers over the rocky peaks. Well asphalted but full of bends, it requires careful driving — and plenty of photo stops.
🗓️ Best season: Spring to autumn. Summer offers perfect light for photography, while winter mornings may bring ice.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Leqet viewpoint: one of Albania’s most famous scenic spots
- Shkodër (30 min away): the nearest city for cultural stops
- Villages of Malesia e Madhe: agrotourism and traditional products
🏨 Accommodation: Guesthouses near Shkodër and in the Kelmend area (for deeper mountain adventures).
🌅 Vlore – Qeparo Road: The heart of the Albanian Riviera
This stretch of the SH8 road is arguably the most beautiful along the entire Riviera — combining the heights of Llogara, iconic beaches, and coastal villages that still preserve an authentic Albanian atmosphere. From Vlorë toward Qeparo, every turn reveals a new scene: towering mountains dropping into the sea, or hidden beaches with crystal-clear water.
After descending from Llogara Pass, the road passes through Palasë, Dhërmi, Himarë, and finally reaches Qeparo — one of the most picturesque villages on the coast. The road is paved and well-maintained, with many curves that remain manageable for any vehicle.
🗓️ Best season: June – September, for beaches, warm weather, and clear views.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Llogara National Park: nature and panoramic viewpoints
- Gjipe Beach: adventure and natural tranquility
- Dhërmi & Himarë villages: history, beaches, and cuisine
- Qeparo: a traditional village split between an old hilltop and a seaside settlement
🏨 Accommodation: Plenty of options in Dhermi, Himare, and Qeparo — from beachfront hotels to hillside guesthouses.
🌄 Elbasan – Qafe Thane Road: Valleys, mountains, and a lake horizon
Stretching from Elbasan toward the North Macedonia border, this road is part of Corridor VIII and is undergoing major upgrades with modern infrastructure. It follows the Shkumbin Valley, passing deep forests, distant mountains, and villages scattered along surrounding hills.
This segment is suitable for all vehicles, with good asphalt and sections of highway under construction. What makes it special is the landscape contrast: from historic towns like Elbasan to the calm of mountain villages and the panoramic view of Lake Ohrid at Qafë Thanë.
🗓️ Best season: All year round — though spring and summer are most pleasant for views and easy travel.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Elbasan Castle: historic and atmospheric
- Shebenik Park near Librazhd: nature, fishing, and camping
- Qafe Thane: a panoramic gateway to Lake Ohrid
🏨 Accommodation: Hotels in Elbasan, guesthouses in Librazhd, and agrotourism options in Labinot and Përrenjas villages.
🏞️ Korca – Erseke Road: Every curve is a postcard
One of the newest and most beautiful roads in Albania, the Korçë – Ersekë segment invites you to explore the Kolonjë highlands in the calmest and most scenic way. Around 45 km long, it is well paved and passes through oak forests, quiet villages, and views opening toward Lake Prespa in the distance.
This road offers an easy yet emotionally rich journey. As you climb toward Ersekë — the highest city in Albania — you gradually leave behind everyday rush and feel closer to nature and tradition.
🗓️ Best season: Summer — with lively landscapes and clear weather. In winter, snow is common and extra caution is needed.
📍 Recommended stops:
- Korca city: National Museum of Medieval Art, Ethnographic Museum, Old Bazaar, historic cafés
- Kolonja villages: stops for local food and warm hospitality
- Ersekë: panoramic viewpoints and alpine calm
- Shebenik National Park
🏨 Accommodation: Cozy hotels in Korca, alpine guesthouses in Ersekë, and nature stays for independent travelers.
🚗 Ready to hit the road? Share the journey!
As we’ve seen, Albania is not just a country of beautiful beaches and high mountains, but a mosaic of panoramic roads leading to unexpected adventures. Each route we explored is an invitation to stop, look, and feel the beauty of this land more deeply.
Whether you’re traveling with friends, exploring with family, or heading out on a solo adventure, these roads will give you more than a destination — they’ll give you lasting memories.
👉 If this guide inspired you, share it with your friends! It might be exactly the spark they need to discover Albania from a different perspective — a panoramic one.
